Random notes on our experience with THREE rescued miniature dachshunds

Our Little Watchdog

by mwdonnelly on May 31, 2008

Jasmine is generally a non-barking dog (very unusual for a doxie). However, she’s starting to become more aware of the world around her and is now beginning to growl or bark (just once) when there is someone at the door, coming through the door (poor hubby) or even making noise at the front door. It’s pretty darn cute…she makes a little “woof” noise. She has a high-pitched bark, but not a “rat dog” bark. Once she barks, I acknowledge her bark and thank her for warning me. She settles right down knowing her job is done.

Now, she sometimes growls at my husband when he comes home from work. NOT when he’s coming through the door and making noise, but AFTER she sees that it’s HIM, that evil MAN. I don’t let her get away with it and admonish her for it. It’s not acceptable behavior to growl at him, and I’m hoping that she will just get over it and accept him as a higher member of the pack. She’s afraid of him, yet she loves it when she does get brave enough to come near him to ask for scratchies. And this morning, she even climbed into his lap–ALL THE WAY onto his lap.

Baby steps are fine with me as long as she’s stepping in the right direction!